Minimum monthly payments on credit cards could be increased to help people pay off their debts more quickly as part of a shake-up of consumer laws.

The Government is considering the move along with a possible ban on credit card companies being allowed to increase credit limits without a borrower's consent.

Proposals unveiled by the Government also include a new role of consumer advocate to represent shoppers and borrowers who feel they have been ripped off.

The holder of the position would have the power to take on class actions against big companies or even the Government.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "The Government is determined to help consumers during the current economic difficulties. Many family budgets are under unprecedented strain."

Higher minimum payments could be imposed to help make sure borrowers' debts are repaid more quickly after the Government's own figures suggested it could take 25 years to repay credit card debt by only making minimum payments.

It will also review in what order debts should be paid off as the majority of credit cards companies allocate a borrower's payment to their cheapest debts first.

Critics said the measures should have been considered earlier to prevent more families being engulfed by Britain's debt crisis.

And they suggested it amounted to "just a gesture" after the Government admitted no new money would be allocated to pay for the £3 million a year package, outlined in the Consumer White Paper.

Shadow Treasury Minister Mark Hoban, said: "This is yet another cobbled together package of reannouncements from a Government that has run out of steam, and a desperate attempt to divert attention from the country's own debt crisis of their own making."

Peter Vicary-Smith, chief executive of consumer group Which?, said: "Many of the measures outlined in the White Paper are overdue but welcome. The important thing is that no time is wasted in turning these proposals into tangible benefits for consumers."

The White Paper confirmed that credit card cheques, sent unsolicited through the post to credit card borrowers – and which carry a far higher interest rate than the card itself – will be banned.

Andrew Hagger, of the personal finance website Moneynet, said: "The banning of credit card cheques is a welcome move, although it is disappointing that it has taken so long for this action to be taken.

"Credit card cheques have wreaked havoc with the finances of unsuspecting credit card customers for years."

Card providers putting up the rates on credit cards without properly explaining why and without any obvious change in a borrower's circumstances, were also criticised in the White Paper, with the Government suggesting that regulation could be introduced to ban the practice.

Jean Price, of City law firm CMS Cameron McKenna, said: "Little here is truly new. One has to ask whether these proposals which, for the most part are nothing more than a gloss on existing requirements, will lead to a material decrease in over-indebtedness. Frankly, consumers have to take some responsibility for their actions."